poster

From Constellation
April 14, 2025

In March 2024, when the Montreal Anarchist Bookfair Collective (MABC) announced the cancellation of that year’s bookfair, a group of local anarchists got together to make sure it happened anyway. We launched Constellation, a weekend-long anarchist festival that would include a one-day bookfair. The initiative was well received and we decided to do it again in 2025, this time extending the festival to a week.

A few days ago, the MABC released a statement declaring their return. You can find it on their Mastodon and Facebook pages. It specifically mentions Constellation (although not by name) and we thought it would be useful to offer our insight on some of the points raised within.

The statement claims that we “appropriated” the bookfair. Anarchist bookfairs don’t belong to anyone. We find it disheartening that any group would claim ownership over a particular event, especially when they are unable to organize said event due to internal factors. We’re anarchists who want more anarchist events to take place and find it inspiring when others pick up the torch to keep important traditions alive.

It also states that we asked the MABC to transfer their funds to us. The collective receives yearly funding from QPIRG Concordia to help pay for an anarchist community event. Because they would not be organizing a bookfair in 2024, it seemed reasonable to ask for this money. Our event clearly met the fund’s mandate and we thought it would be better to put the money to use rather than let it sit in a bank account. The MABC denied our request.

There is much that has been said about the MABC in zines, social media posts, and elsewhere. We’re not interested in getting involved in the broader discussion and would rather dedicate our energy to organizing Constellation 2025 and beyond. However, it felt important to say something at this time. Thanks to everyone for all the support and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Comments

anon (not verified) Mon, 04/21/2025 - 08:29

masks?

anon (not verified) Mon, 04/21/2025 - 08:48

In reply to by anon (not verified)

DEI????

anon (not verified) Mon, 04/21/2025 - 13:33

In reply to by anon (not verified)

DNR, PLEASE.

MTL666ABF (not verified) Mon, 04/21/2025 - 09:33

In reply to by anon (not verified)

If you do happen leave your basement internet devices and muster up the courage to attend an anarchist even with real human people (including living human women), then please do we beautiful anarchists bookfair participants a solid and cover your ugly visage. Merci.

CECOT ABF (not verified) Mon, 04/21/2025 - 10:29

In reply to by CECOT ABC (not verified)

As the originator of the (deleted by humourless peepee poopoo moderator tyrants) CECOT ABF meme, for one, am appalled at this exhibition of stolen valor but applaud your derivative at the same time.

anon (not verified) Tue, 04/22/2025 - 14:01

https://www.anarchistfederation.net/montreal-anarchist-bookfair-our-ret…

Statement by MABF^

Very curious what the conflict was that encouraged the former collective members to quit mediation. Sounds like the powerful faction demanded a minority accept that they have bad opinions ("accountability"), brought in 2 poc (why?) facilitators from outside, then made some demand that would've been humiliating to the weaker faction. Maybe not tho? Any time I see "accountability" at this point my brain automatically clarifies "powerful person (probably a young attractive middle class white woman) trying to dominate less powerful person (basically any other identity)". Its weird to think this described a helpful process at one point, 20-30ya.

I'm glad the constellation people took over for continuity, tho it sounds like a more respectful approach to the older collective could've been taken.

lumpy (not verified) Wed, 04/23/2025 - 08:02

In reply to by anon (not verified)

... should you be making assumptions about identity to critique bad faith uses of identity?

i mean, i like fighting fire with fire as much as the next fire perv but ... the entire point of this conflict seems to be about the circular firing squad? and the folks who want to get something done instead?

anon (not verified) Fri, 04/25/2025 - 04:21

In reply to by anon (not verified)

"(probably a young attractive middle class white woman) trying to dominate less powerful person (basically any other identity)".

Nice incel logic.

anon (not verified) Mon, 04/28/2025 - 17:03

In reply to by anon (not verified)

Wish it could be waved away so easily comrade. Talk to older anarchists local to you who have seen this play out multiple times since the late 80s. I assume there are exceptions, but I've never seen or heard of a different identity operating in such a way. I'm not sure when the transition happened, but we have very much lost our way with this stuff

anon (not verified) Mon, 04/28/2025 - 17:59

In reply to by anon (not verified)

Hey, I'll let any young attractive middle-class white woman dominate me, just for the comfort and security, she can chain me if she wants. I'm homeless in the streets, haven't had a shower in 6 months, I carry a sign says "I clean up real good "

anon (not verified) Thu, 05/08/2025 - 08:48

Why are there 3 U.S.-Canadian (Montreal, D.C., L.A.) bookfairs this weekend? Maybe it's just the state of things where no one is trying to coordinate with anyone across the country(s)? It would make it so much easier on tablers, and make your bookfairs better if tablers could table at all three. And I just looked and saw all the way in October the Seattle and Bay Area bookfairs scheduled their bookfairs on the same date. wtf?

anon (not verified) Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:12

In reply to by anon (not verified)

Careful with the secret service operations (with mah dick, under the table, while impressionable liberals are reading zines over it) at the bookfairs. Stay safe, isolated in the basement or in the forest. Avoid contact with anyone.

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